TIME CHANGE: Bring your Cardinals questions and comments, and talk to Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold in a live chat.at 10 a.m.

Prior to yesterday’s outburst, Pham had a better career OBP, SLG, OPS+, and wRC+ than Adams. He had a better OBP, OPS+, and wRC+ than Grichuk (he now also leads Grichuk in SLG). Yes, he strikes out a lot (who doesn’t these days?), but he’s athletic, good defensively, runs the bases well, and he carried the team in September 2015. But for some reason, it seems like the team prefers Adams and Grichuk to Pham? Why is that? I get that he has an injury history, but so do Adams and Grichuk.

by Bob5/8/2017 6:45:14 PM

Injuries are a big part of that. Position is also a major part of that. Adams, until recent flirtations, was a first baseman and Pham, to date, had position players ahead of him by the name of Heyward, Holliday, Jon Jay, and so on. Grichuk has power upside and has shown that more consistently than Pham. So, that's the other part of it. Consistency. Pham, as the Cardinals described leading into this past week, tends to get his production in binges. When Pham arrived in Atlanta, Matheny even said that the team hoped it could catch Pham when he's hot because that Pham can elevate a team. Now, they cannot take a sine wave of production, especially not if the troughs are quite low and lengthy with spiky peaks. That's the game Pham has had, and that's the game that he talked with a few us about trying to avoid this time around.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:47:47 PM

18 innings last night followed by 3 games in Denver for the Cubs. Anderson is on the DL. It feels like this is the sort of inflection point where last year's innings load with older starting pitching and a less robust bullpen could crack under the pressure of essentially 5 games in 4 days. It will be interesting to see how the Cubs pitching staff weathers the next series and seeing if there are carry-over effects into the rest of the season from the marathon game from last night followed by 3 games in a tough pitching environment.

by Jack5/8/2017 6:47:55 PM

Agreed. Cubs are vulnerable. Their pitching makes them so. This isn't a secret. They would have acknowledged that coming into the season, although so quietly nobody could hear it over the roar of the perpetual parade.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:48:55 PM

Oscar Mercado is tearing it up in Springfield. I know he is old for AA (26) and the Texas League is very offensive anyway, but how do the Cardinals see him? Thanks for your insight.

by Matt5/8/2017 6:49:40 PM

He went to Springfield as the "priority" center fielder, so that tells you about what they think about his defense and his potential. He's sharing that spot a bit with Adolis Garcia. But that isn't because of Mercado or even a reflection of his status. It's just Garcia is viewed as a step ahead at this moment. Also, he's 22. So he's just fine for that level. Even ahead of it.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:50:55 PM

1B Luke Voit is destroying AAA. Could he force the club to budget room on the 25-man for him this season, or is 2018 what the club is projecting as possible?

by john c5/8/2017 6:51:03 PM

Right now they are trying to figure out how he fits and whether that production translates to the majors. He has put himself in the conversation, which is saying a lot considering he wasn't in major-league spring training and only saw invites over to a few games. The fact that he has torn through Class AAA so far could reshape how the Cardinals see him in the same way Wisdom did by being in spring training. Strong start for Voit. He should be lauded for what he's done to elbow his way to the doorstep.

stltoday.comFowler sits out again with shoulder injury. Martinez seeks second win as he faces Marlins.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:53:58 PM

Will Carson Kelly be a Cardinal next year? The extension to Yadi made me wonder.

by AustinTx5/8/2017 6:56:41 PM

Sure. He is still a big part of the team's future -- and would only be moved if he's part of a deal that brings someone back who would be a bigger part of the team's present.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:57:13 PM

Could Cincinnati be a sleeper this year? You have talked in the past year about how they've rebuilt their minor league system, but that pitching looks incredibly good so far. The NL Central continues to be a very tough division.

by JH5/8/2017 6:57:16 PM

I'm still going with the Brewers as the team that will be a headache down the stretch, a lot like the Cubs were a few years back. Sure, Cincy is playing well and there are examples of a team that plays well learning that it can play well and then speeding up the rebuilding. Wins count, and the Reds have more today than any other team in the division. Those aren't going away. I just don't think they have the pitching depth and they may not improve. Give me the rebuilding team that improves over the course of a season. The Cubs improved as 2014 played out. The Brewers, I bet, will be the team that improves in 2017.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:58:48 PM

All I really know is what the PD tells me about this stuff, but it seems like Sierra has a lot of glowing scouting reports in the files of other clubs? Atlanta had obviously game-planned for him for example. This can't be typical for Class A players making a major league debut can it?

by MS Bird Brain5/8/2017 6:59:09 PM

Speed. This is what speed can do for a team. (Also: Atlanta had a head start on thinking about Sierra because the Braves saw his best game of spring and got burned by him.)

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 6:59:37 PM

Derrick, congrats on your recent award. If my math is correct you now have more Grand Slams than any player on the 40 man roster. Can you play defense? SS or 3B?

by Radillon3235/8/2017 6:59:45 PM

Thanks for the kind words. The paper wins the grand slam. Third is preferred, but scouts say I'm where I belong -- nowhere near the field and further and further from it every time they build a new ballpark.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:00:30 PM

Have there been discussions about Kelly getting time at 3b or even 1b in hopes of bringing him up to the majors to help and get more playing time this year or next or even after that? He was a 3bman not too long ago, and with Yadi back there for a while it seems a waste to only start him 1 time a week or even two if Yadi would allow.

by Aaron5/8/2017 7:00:37 PM

Yes. Kelly has continued to see some work at both corner positions.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:00:48 PM

Enough questions about why Sierra over Bader, please. Thank you.

by Grouchy Oscar5/8/2017 7:00:49 PM

I am trying to urge people to read back in the chat, and also I need to clear some questions -- like yours -- to get to even more. They're streaming in still, and I only get to see a few of them at a time. If they're all Bader, Bader, Bader, then ... well, I do what I have to mine for more.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:01:31 PM

at shortstop, I would still prefer elite defense (simmons) to above average offense (diaz). this is just a dream trade, though, right?

by kyle5/8/2017 7:01:39 PM

If by dream you mean not appealing for either team, at all, then yes. Dream. I am confused by why some fans are so eager to demote or trade Diaz. He might have the best upside of any hitter on the field.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:02:23 PM

Sierras getting more ink than John Jay, what's up with that?

by AustinTx5/8/2017 7:02:38 PM

1) This is the sports page, not a history book.2) John Jay died in 1829. Rest in peace.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:03:15 PM

Is it possible that MLB is intentionally pushing back Albert's return to STL? It's a far fetched theory, but is it a little strange that the Angels have not played here in over 7 years?

by Andy5/8/2017 7:03:37 PM

There is no reason for that to happen, not even in the deepest darkest corners of Cardinals Conspiracy Headquarters. The Cardinals would have requested the Angels had they known they weren't going to get them last year at home, and Pujols has openly said he'd like to return. Heck, the Cardinals would love to build a ticket-selling celebration around him, preferably in April when school is in session, and on weekdays when tickets are harder to sell. They would love that.

Yes, it is more than a little strange and a little disappointing and it is not at all what baseball promised when they split the leagues, 15 and 15, but it happened.

You can blame the political conventions. Next time don't pick two MLB cities.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:05:30 PM

Is Zack Duke involved at all with the club at this point? or is he a goner?

by Mike Bouquet5/8/2017 7:05:32 PM

He is indeed. He's rehabbing at Busch. He's Alex Reyes' workout partner. Within this story, Duke talks about his role with the young starter:

stltoday.comRosenthal is set to return to the active roster, possibly by Monday.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:06:51 PM

DG: I would like to see the Cards extend Lance Lynn because I see him as a perfect fit for the Cubs next season. Thoughts?

by Mr. Baseball5/8/2017 7:07:10 PM

Or an Astro. Sure. He could easily be the heir to Lackey. There's some poetry there.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:07:31 PM

Umps tossing players on a whim feels to me to be an archaic practice. Has there ever been discussion for umps to meet as a crew to see if an ejection is warranted? Fans go to games to see players not ump shows, but not umpire crews got that memo. Appreciate your time in these chants. Thanks,

by Biggs5/8/2017 7:07:44 PM

We're trying to speed up the game, not turn it into Congress. I would like for there to be an appeal of some sorts -- and it can only be initiated by the crew chief. If the crew chief feels that a toss was unwarranted then he should step in, cool the situation, and bring about the right call. I know that would be tricky and maybe even undermine some authority if an ejection is overruled but a case like the other night for Baltimore has to give the leagues pause because we weren't in the heat of the moment but we all saw that it was a curveball and we could even see the hair-trigger on the ejection. An official needs to step in and go, wait, is this really the right thing. There are ramifications.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:09:36 PM

Would the Cards be interested in Mike Moustakas at the deadline? A lefty power bat at 3B would be perfect for them in my opinion.

by Bob Yucker5/8/2017 7:09:38 PM

They will take a look, yes. All 3B are going to be at last discussed.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:09:51 PM

Do we know what team had the coach that asked if Sierra was going to make team? Was it the Braves?

by James5/8/2017 7:09:55 PM

Braves or Nationals are the options. Matheny has declined to reveal his source.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:10:10 PM

Hey Derrick, How come additional runs count on a walk-off home run? Isn't the game over the second the first runner touches the plate? Let's say there's a bases loaded situation in a tie game - like with Carpenter's walk off grand slam. If he laces one to the gap the games ends when the runner on 3rd touches the plate, even though surely more runners would have scored. Why is this different on homeruns?

by Max5/8/2017 7:10:24 PM

Because the ball isn't in play. It's a dead ball over the wall. And as long as the guy who hit it is able to touch all the bases without interference, then it's a home run and all runs count. See: Ventura, Robin.

by Derrick Goold5/8/2017 7:10:56 PM

Isn't time for the Cardinals to snatch a rule 5 draft from the Padres?